Posts Tagged ‘Dental Practice’
100th Mac Server Install
Monday, April 5th, 2010
Our 100th Mac Server Install
Installation of a Mac Pro server in Dr. Bennett Brodwin’s office in Dublin, CA was our 100th client to convert from an Alpha Micro server to a Mac server for their Datacon Dental System software. Mac Pro servers are our “One Box Solution” for all your dental needs including digital x-rays and images. This “One Box Solution” allows a single server and backup of all your vital data and images. So, before you buy a new peer server for your imaging software program, consider buying a Mac Pro server for both!
As a reminder, Datacon integrates with all the major imaging systems.
Call, or email us today for details!
Dear Valued Clients…
Monday, April 5th, 2010
Important News from Duane de Long, President
Dear Valued Clients,
After 37 years at the podium orchestrating the Datacon “players”, I have decided it is time to pass on the baton. In fact, I have decided to pass on two batons.
We have decided that in order to grow Datacon more efficiently and effectively, separating it into two unique businesses would facilitate more flexibility and opportunities for each entity.
Effective April 1, 2010 (no jokes here!) one baton will be passed to my sons, Jim and Jay de Long who will orchestrate the dmi Networking Solutions division. Collectively, they have been involved in Datacon for almost 8 years. This business will handle hardware sales, service and installation for current Datacon clients and others.
The second baton will be passed to the Datacon Dental Systems software division. This business will be lead by Buddy Kurz. As most of you know, Buddy has been the genius behind Datacon’s software creation and development since 1981.
How will these changes affect you? Very little. You will receive separate statements going forward and future upgrade proposals will consist of two parts; hardware (dmi) and software (Datacon Dental Systems, Inc.) In fact, to insure a smooth transition, both divisions will continue to occupy the same facility with the same personnel.
Effective April 1 you will begin receiving new, separate statements from dmi Networking Solutions, and Datacon Dental Systems, Inc. Your dmi statement will include any balances and account details prior to April 1, 2010. After April 1, your dmi statement will include charges for hardware, repairs or IT related sales and support. Your Datacon Dental Systems statement will include charges for monthly software support, training, billable software support and purchases of Datacon software including pcLink, Time Clock, and our Mac server support software. We do not anticipate making any changes to our billing rates or monthly support fees in the near future.
As those of you who are business or professional owners realize, your business becomes much like your child so leaving is somewhat bittersweet; similar to a child leaving home for college or getting married. Fortunately by keeping part in the family, this allows me the privilege of keeping a desk and being available. I consider many of you much more than clients; I consider many of you professional friends with whom I have been fortunate to nurture very long-term professional relationships with. For that, I am extremely grateful.
A few years ago, I had the privilege to serve the U.O.P. Dental School Alumni Board with the esteemed Dr. Art Dugoni. Those of you who know or have worked with Dr. Dugoni realize he is an extraordinary individual. Once while I was standing with him and a small group of others, someone asked him what he believed enabled to achieve the high level of success that he had attained… he didn’t hesitate a moment when he replied “Surround yourself with positive individuals. Others will only tend to drain you from your ambition, goals and passion for achieving them.” In my own way, I have subscribed (somewhat unknowingly) to that same premise.
Datacon’s success was not realized by my skills and capabilities, but by the wonderful and talented individuals I was fortunate enough to associate with along the way. Dr. Colin Wong of Mill Valley, CA who believed enough in my dream to assist me financially. Mr. Buddy Kurz who was willing to share his genius with me 28 years ago and create the Datacon Dental Systems package. In 1991 this software program was rated #1 in the nation for multi-user dental offices.
There have also been many loyal employees who were willing to put up with me for almost 20 years… many I’m certain you know:
- Dianna Vantine (1980-1997) Data entry (keypunch!) and bookkeeping
- Elyse Jaynes (1984-2005) Reception, inventory, bookkeeping
- Michele Weitzenberg (1984-2008) Vice President, Sales and client relations, and general “thinker outside of the box.”
- Rachael Schlief (1988-current) trainer, bookkeeping and software support
- Julie Thompson (1988-current) trainer, software support
And there were many, many others who were team members for over 10 years, plus my current team of all-stars.
In addition to loyal employees over 150 current clients have been using Datacon for over 20 years. THANK YOU ALL.
Now comes my time to pursue new dreams. My time now will be spent working my “Red Poppy Farm” and Vineyard with my wonderful wife, Sheila, woodworking, travel, winemaking, grandkid time, diving, cycling, watching over dmi and Datacon and generally celebrating life and my good fortune.
Thank you all for everything!
Sincerely,
Duane de Long
Year End Procedures
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009
Year End Procedures
It’s that time of year again. Follow these directions to button-up your dental practice for the year.
- Post everything you want reflected for the year, including charges, payments, adjustments, refunds, etc.
- Run monthly reports as usual, including the Practice Summary Report for the year.
- Print your fee schedule to give you YTD totals for procedures. SELECT Procedure Codes, Print fee schedule.
- Run the “yearly clear.” Remember, don’t run the daily or monthly clears as the third selection in Print Control Sheets performs the daily, monthly, and yearly clears in one keystroke.
- Remove old schedule blocking. This should be done on a monthly basis. SELECT Appointments & Recall, Schedule Maintenance, Remove old schedule blocking.
- Reorganize files. SELECT File maintenance, Reorganize files for faster access. Reorganize each item, except Ageing list, which is done daily during the clear.
- Archive the last backup of the year, preferably off-site.
Datacon can offer online backups now! Call (800) 773-7878 or email info@datacondental.com for details.
Scheduling Views Available
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009
Scheduling Views are now available on v3.6
By Laura Andersen
This new tool is especially helpful for offices that have multiple doctors and use different books for the hygienists. Scheduling Views allow a choice of 32 custom views!
This new feature allows you to define the columns that display for individual users, groups of users or for the entire practice. For example, your office has three hygienists and they each want to see only their schedule column along with the doctor’s columns for coordinating prophy and exam appointments. In addition to this great new feature, the schedule now has the ability to display up to 8 columns at a time, previously the limit was 4 columns.
Go to the Support area, or call Datacon at (800)773-7878, to get directions on how to set this feature up!
Perio Study Group
Friday, July 24th, 2009
Datacon’s Perio Study Group
August 19,2009
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Presented at
Santa Rosa Golf & Country Club
333 Country Club Drive
Santa Rosa, CA
Half Day 9:00 - 1:00 $100.00 per attendee
Morning session includes: Introduction of special features as they apply to the periodontal practice, documentation, and lunch.
Full Day 9:00 - 3:00 $125.00 per attendee
Afternoon session includes: Detailed instruction on how to implement the tools and features shown in the morning session.
This study group will focus on using tools in Datacon to make your office paperless. If your practice isn’t quite ready to abandon paper altogether, we will provide an introduction to the paperless features available in your Datacon system - many of which may be new to you.
Please take a moment to look at the topic descriptions, then fill out your registration form HERE.
AGENDA
9:00-12:00 Morning Session: Introduction of paperless features.
12:00-1:00 LUNCH
1:00-3:00 Afternoon Session: Implementing paperless tools and features.
PLEASE NOTE THAT PER SANTA ROSA COUNTRY CLUB RULES,
ATTIRE IS BUSINESS CASUAL (no jeans, tanks or tees).
ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
PLEASE FAX REGISTRATION FORM WITH PAYMENT INFO TO:
(707) 523-7798 OR MAIL TO: PO BOX 1785 SANTA ROSA, CA 95402
BY MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2009.
XDR Radiology, Tax Credit
Monday, July 13th, 2009
XDR Digital Radiography Update
And Tax Credit Reduction
By Duane de Long
It has been a couple of years since Datacon introduced XDR via this newsletter and I am pleased to say that a number of our clients have made the move in their practices.
Dr. Robert Merin, a periodontist in Woodland Hills, CA introduced it to us 3 years ago and we are happy he did. They have proven to be a high quality client service organization with a superior product compared to what is currently available in the dental marketplace. Just recently, they have included both size 1 and 2 sensors with an extra durable, thinner cable that can be replaced if damaged without having to replace the whole sensor. In addition, no interface box is required as with most systems.
Dr. Merin states that “…Patients love to watch the implant process on the screen and the training was fantastic, it is done by a practicing staff dentist.”
Dr. John Unguren, of Rohnert Park, CA has been using XDR with Datacon’s Mac Pro server for almost 2 years and he can’t imagine “…going back to film, it has been a great improvement to my practice.”
Give Brian Benefield at Datacon a call if you want more information or go to www.XDRradiology.com. Since Section 179 of the Tax Code (Investment tax credit) is being significantly reduced on 1/1/2010, this may be an ideal time to invest in your practice.
This may also be an opportune time to upgrade your current server to a Mac Pro server. Mac Pro servers are extremely fast, can store Datacon and your digital images on a single CPU. In addition, backups are done much faster and servicing is less expensive!
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